Improvement in paper-fasteners



P. H SWEET, Jr. PAPER-FASTENERS.

No. 194,384. Pa te njed Aug. 21,1877.

Fig.1 M 2.

1 g vihqessesz Inverftor I N-PETERS. PHOTO'LIQFHDGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. DC

UNITED STATES PATENT 0FFIICE.*

PARKER H. SWEET, JR, OF GEORGETOWN, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN PAPER-FASTENERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 194,384, dated August21, 1877; application filed i January 24, 1877.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, PARKER H. SWEET, J r., of Georgetown, in the countyof Washington and District of Columbia, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Paper- Fasteners; and I do hereby declare thatthe following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, whichwill enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make anduse the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and tothe letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

My invention relates to an improved construction of paper'fasteners; andit consists of an elongated prong split vertically through the centerfrom its point to its juncture with the central part of an enlargedportion, and bent at right angles thereto, for adaptation to aconcave-shaped head to form the complete fastener, all as will behereinafter more fully scribed, and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 represents the blank from which Iconstruct the prongs of the fastener. Fig. 2 represents a perspectiveview of the prongs bent in the proper position for adaptation to theconcaveshaped head to form the complete fastener. Fig. 3 represents theconcave head. Fig. 4 represents a perspective View of the fastener whencompleted ready for use. Fig. 5 represents the manner of cutting theblanks of the penetrating-prongs without waste of the material employed.Fig. 6 represents a vertical section of the complete fastener.

Similar letters of reference occurring on the several figures indicatelike parts.

A represents the blanks from which I construct the prongs of my improvedfastener, said blanks consisting of an enlarged rounded portion, a,provided with an elongated prong split vertically through its centerfrom its point to its juncture with the central part of the enlargedportion, so as to form two prongs, b b, arranged in line edgewise toeach other, as shown in the several figures. These prongs b b are bentat right angles to the enlarged portion a, as shown in Fig. 2, foradaptation to the concave-shaped head B, to form the complete fastener,the enlarged portion a being fitted within the concave head, the edgesof which are rolled over upon the enlarged portion to securely andfirmly hold the same, with its penetrating-prongs, in place, as shown inFigs. 4. and 6 of the drawings.

By means of my improved construction the concave head B can be made ofan inferior quality of sheet metal, and much thinner than that used inthe construction of the prongs b b, which necessarily requires a muchstouter and superior quality of metal to insure the effective action ofthe prongs in cutting their own way through the papers or goods to bebound.

It will be observed that in the construction of the fasteners now in usethe prongs are arranged flatwise to each other, which constructionnecessitates the employment of a knife or other sharp-pointed instrumentto penetrate the papers to be bound for the introduction of thefasteners, and also requiring the use of a knife for splitting theprongs after they have passed through the papers for binding the same.

In the present construction the double prong employed forms a singlesharp-cutting blade, which readily penetrates through the material to bebound, (even stout pasteboard,) and is easily turned in reversedirections with the fingers, to secure an emcient fastening without theaid of a knife or other instrument.

The advantages of my invention will be readily seen, inasmuch as by thecombination of the double prong with the concave head, as described, theprongs are strengthened and held in avertical line for penetrating thegoods to be bound, without liability of crippling or bending, and alsocombines in its construction and operation a high degree of economy andsimplicity, with a ready adaptation to the purpose intended.

I am aware of the patent granted to R. A. Shinu, under date of December19, 1876, and numbered 185,457, in which the prongs are constructedsimilar to those of my present invention. Therefore Ido not wish toclaim such construction broadly; but

What I do claim as new and useful is- 1. A paper-fastener formed of theblank A, having an enlarged portion, a, provided with prongs b b, bentat the center of, and at right In testimony that I claim the foregoingas angles to, said enlarged portion, and adapted my'own invention Iaffix my signaturein presto receive the concave head B, substantiallyence of two witnesses. as and for the purpose described.

-2. The prongs b b, bent at right angles to PARKEREH' SWEET and from thecenter of the enlarged portion Witnesses: a, in combination with theconcave head B, W. T. BIRCH,

substantially as and for the purpose described. WM. BERTRAND AGKER.

